Getting Rid Of Expired Prescription Drugs

Here’s another chance to get rid of unwanted prescription drugs before they fall into the wrong hands. The Prescription Drug Advisory Committee of the Bay Area Alliance will collect expired or unneeded prescription and non-prescription medications on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at:UTMB Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes2240 Gulf FreewayLeague City, TX 77573

Trying to Decrease Prescription Drug Abuse

This is the group’s fourth such event to decrease prescription drug abuse and is in coordination with a national effort through the Drug Enforcement Agency to remove dangerous controlled and commonly misused substances from community medicine cabinets. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise throughout the United States and has become especially troublesome in the greater Houston area.

“This initiative is so important because it keeps these potentially dangerous medications out of the reach of children,” said Jon D. Thompson, director of the Southeast Texas Poison Center. “It prevents abuse, misuse, or accidental poisonings by youth as well as adults.”

Deaths Due to Drug Abused

Drugs exceeded motor vehicle accidents as a cause of death in 2009, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Much of this rise has been attributed to the increase of prescription drug abuse. According to Bay Area Alliance Coalition Manager Amanda McLauchlin, “this effort encourages everyone to do their part in emptying these potentially hazardous drugs from their medicine cabinets.”

Drop off Site for Prescription Drugs

Anyone interested in dropping off medications is encouraged to leave medication in the original containers with the patient’s name marked out. Participants will drive through the drop-off site at the UTMB Victory Lakes facility where volunteers including law enforcement and pharmacy personnel, will take medications for proper and secure disposal. The entire process is completely anonymous and no identifying information other than zip code will be requested or noted.

Members of the Advisory Committee

The Prescription Drug Advisory Committee consists of members from organizations such as the Southeast Texas Poison Center, Texas Pharmacy Board, Texas Attorney Generals’ Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Friendswood Police Department, and Walgreens Pharmacy. For more information, contact the Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families by calling 281-284-0370.